Tag: Eric Powell

Hot rods, booze and broads are just a little bit of what this issue of The Goon contains. The story is broken up into 3 different parts. We begin with a story about prohibition and how Goon and Franky made a couple bucks off of it. Gettin’ into some trouble along the way is just par for the course and they have to take some drastic measures to clean up some messes. The middle section continues with the Goon and Franky meeting up with a down and dirty family, the Boyles, who are also peddling their own brand of moonshine. The Boyles are displeased (to say the least) that the Goon is taking away business from them and cutting in on their profits. After many attempts, the Boyle clan comes up with a plan to wipe Goon and Franky off the map and a battle royale takes place between Franky and the patriarch of the Boyles, Papa Grits. Well, that is until an unexpected “guest” show up and proposes (demands) a different contest to determine the winner. The final part of the story obviously concludes the saga and ends with an awesome homage to Ed “Big Daddy” Roth and his artwork.

Like usual, this issue is solid. It’s funny and tells a great story in a very unique way. Eric Powell’s writing and art are amazing and the characters are stellar. The Goon is perfection and each issue is ridiculous (in the best way possible of course). Powell continues to come up with fabulous stories and innovative ways of telling them. There’s not much more to say, it’s great, go buy it, read it and I promise you that one issue is all you need to read to become hooked on the entire series!

In light of recent debates about creator owned comics, Eric Powell has decided to give us a new issue of The Goon highlighting some of the lengths creators have to go to in order to compete with the big company owned comics. Before even tearing (I don’t advise tearing your comics) into the new Goon issue, you are treated to an amazing cover. The cover is brightly colored, funny and offers a satirical take on a formulaic approach to some comics (specific companies and events shall remain nameless). In short, it’s awesome! The cover asks “is the Goon a gay Republican Puerto Rican transvestite Socialist for Jesus from space?” The answer: sorta, kinda, sometimes.

This issue focuses on the Goon’s origin story. Throw out everything you think this is going to be; actually, if you’re a Goon fan then you’re probably on the right track so go with it and then triple it! We see the Goon and Franky like never before, super cheesy, in primary colors and way into fashion. We are treated to some back story on the Goon, which is continually changing throughout the issue. While the Goon and Franky are on a mission to save the damsel in distress, we meet the bad guy, we see some action and we are given a plot twist at the end. Pretty standard stuff, except it’s totally not, it’s unbelievable. I don’t want to spoil anything but I will tell you that the Goon army is where it’s at. Best. Thing. Ever.

This issue needs to be read and re-read to be fully appreciated. It was beyond incredible. Eric Powell is poking fun (understatement) at the comic industry, doing it unabashedly and nailing it with a super powered, heavy-duty nail gun! It made me laugh (not cry this time) a lot. I’m about to go on my “Eric Powell is the greatest ever kick” so bear with me for a sec. The guy’s amazing. The writing and art should frankly be what ALL other things are judged by. Okay, that wasn’t so bad, what I’m trying to say here is buy it, read it, marry it, do whatever you have to do to get it, (you could probably just go to your local comic shop or order it online) just do it immediately!

Release Date: April 25th, 2012
*It was also just announced that The Goon will be published monthly!

Today, WonderCon attendees had the opportunity to meet with Eisner winning author and all-around good guy, Eric Powell and Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters collaborator Tracy Marsh. Powell began his panel today at WonderCon by eating pie (which I am sad to report was apparently not very good), swapping personal stories and playing a game of Eric Powell trivia with the crowd. He didn’t really have any news on the upcoming (hopefully) Goon movie aside from the fact that it’s still a go with David Fincher and Blur however financing is still a problem. Eric did seem optimistic about this though so that’s something us Goon fans can cling to. He also reported that a Goon mask ($59.99) will be coming out soon and he was able to show us a picture. Eric did talk about an upcoming project but was unable to tell us anything about it other than that he promises it will be “awesome.” (and thus better than pie!). Despite his inability to share Goon related details with the crowd, Eric did discuss his thoughts on the trajectory of the comic industry and his life with a roller derby girl. Throughout the panel, Eric commented on how technological glitches and health and safety concerns over sharing pie with the audience “ruined” the panel, but Eric’s accessibility during the panel and at his booth (where I was super excited about him signing some comics from my Powell collection!) allowed us to learn a little more about the kind of motivated, grounded, fireworks (he spent $600 on em’) loving person he is!

If you read my review of The Goon #37 it should come as no surprise that I think Eric Powell’s work is beyond amazing. I always have trouble writing Goon reviews because each issue is both simple and complex at the same time and it becomes difficult to actually express the greatness contained within them. With this review I decided that it just needs to be acknowledged that I am not unbiased when it comes to The Goon or anything Eric Powell does. In my eyes he can do no wrong but I do believe that it is an earned bias. Eric Powell has proven over and over again, whether through The Goon, Chimichanga or any other projects he works on, that fangirling out is warranted. This issue is no exception, it is touching, infuriating and quite frankly, it made me cry. Often times, Powell manages to use very few words and convey feelings of sadness that are so heartbreaking the reader really feels that pain. This is not an easy feat, although Powell makes it seem effortless.

The Goon #38 tells the story of a young girl, Kizzie, who is picked on in school, but in her own way seems above it all. Her older brother Rooney attempts to defend her but unfortunately things go awry and a bigger mess occurs. Kizzie is a good girl with big dreams trapped in a small town. With naysayers trying to determine the course her life will take, she decides to follow her own path with a traveling carnival. We are taken on a journey through many important events in Kizzie’s life including love, loss and resilience in the face of adversity. In an effort to not spoil this issue (because truthfully one needs to read it to really get its full impact) I will just say that Kizzie is a very important person to the Goon and the final panel in the issue is very poignant and emotional.

If you are not reading The Goon you are really missing out on something very special. I can say without hesitation that every issue is amazing, including this one. Even though there are continuing stories and character development, it is very easy to jump in, understand and enjoy any issue. The art is fabulous, as each character’s feelings are conveyed perfectly and with precision. This issue is dedicated to Powell’s Grandma so how could you say no? Go to your local comic book store, pray they have back issues and then pre-order this one, you won’t regret it!

This issue begins with an old, tired and poor woman making her way to her crappy underpaying exploitive factory job. As she arrives we meet her greedy, corporate slag of a boss who is being told by the Fire Marshall the conditions at the factory are dangerous for his workers. He responds to this as corporate tool would, with a big so what. Changing any of the conditions for his poorly treated workers would shrink his profit and this of course is just not an option for him. Tragedy strikes, (this was very griping and very sad), a trial takes place and justice is NOT served. The poor, displaced and downtrodden do what little they can, they unite, protest and unionize! As is always the case, the uber rich hate when the poor unite so they try to decapitate the movement with violence which they start to succeed in doing, that is until The Goon shows up.

This issue is great. I love the Goon, he’s a bruiser but he’s always on the right side of things. This particular issue is really timely with all the movements occurring all over the world now. It makes you wish there was a real Goon who could go in and take are of business. The dialog, art and story are top-notch, plain and simple Eric Powell is a genius! Get this issue, whether you love The Goon or have never read a single issue. The thing about this series is that you can jump right in and not feel lost; however, there are so many amazing back issues I would pick up whichever ones you can find!

This issue features real life Queen Of Burlesque, Roxi Dlite and her not so real life “handler” Abercrombie. We find them escaping from trouble, looking for a new place to cause even more trouble. Where do they land? Well, the Goon’s hood of course! Roxi, an entrepreneur, decides to stay awhile and make some fast cash. Meanwhile, The Goon and Franky are getting into their own predicaments, (along with some awesome disguises), Franky, in an incident involving an old woman and The Goon with his big punches. Eventually all of their paths cross and mayhem ensues. Franky falls in love which only complicates things as he gets drawn in by a fake menage á trois, being duped it’s all up to The Goon to save the day. Saving the day, Franky and everything else is just what The Goon does and scores some ladies to boot.

The Goon #36 is really great and well worth reading. What is really great about these comics is that even if you are new to the series you are really able to jump right in and enjoy the story. It’s rare in comics for this to happen. Even though there are constant themes and storylines continuing from one issue to the next they are not so complicated that you can’t get the jist reading for the first time. The characters , art and dialog are phenomenal. This issue gets you looking forward to the next and hopefully the movie that is to be adapted from the series. If you love The Goon you will love this issue, if you have never read The Goon this issue is a great place to start!